ESPN better not move Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler to Monday Night Football

ESPN is reportedly considering moving Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit to Monday Night Football, which would be a tremendous loss for college football.

Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit represent the top broadcasting duo in college football. It would be a shame if they weren’t calling the biggest college football game every week because ESPN is trying to breathe life into Monday Night Football.

According to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post, ESPN is considering moving Fowler and Herbstreit to the Monday Night Football booth after they missed on landing Tony Romo and Peyton Manning.

"ESPN has put the idea of moving its college team of Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit back on the table, but is wary of creating a problem with its national championship duo. They can’t be ruled out, though, just yet."

I want to rule out immediately.

This can’t happen.

This better not happen.

If it happens, it’ll be a tremendous loss for college football.

Herbstreit is the voice of college football for a generation of fans. He is what Charles Barkley is to the NBA. He is the first voice people seek out with an opinion on college football.

Herbstreit and Fowler are exceptional talents. Before Fowler was moved off College GameDay a few years ago to take on his broadcaster duties, he and Herbstreit sat opposite Lee Corso to deliver one of the best live sports shows in the history of TV.

Seeing Herbstreit and Fowler in the corporate world of the NFL just feels all kinds of wrong. It wouldn’t be right. The energy, enthusiasm and passion they bring to the college football broadcasts is unparalleled. It would all be gone if they moved to the fledgling Monday Night Football booth.

Joe Tessitore is missed in college football but he and Anthony “Booger” McFarland hasn’t worked out for ESPN. What was once a marquee day for the NFL, Monday Night Football has become a laughingstock and an afterthought.

How many times can Booger say something so ridiculous or something so obvious? There is no insight and no humor and really no chemistry between the forced pair.

The Monday Night Football booth definitely needs changes made, but breaking up the best announcer duo ESPN is not the way to fix Monday night.

Whether it’s a combination of Dan Orlovsky, Louis Riddick and Steve Levy on the call — which I totally endorse — or waiting one more year before potentially luring Drew Brees to retire from the New Orleans Saints and make a Romo-like transition to the booth would be appealing.

But please, ESPN, on behalf of college football fans everywhere, don’t you dare take Herbie and Fowler off college football.

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